Canonical Software, the makers of the Linux-based Ubuntu operating system, has released Ubuntu Touch —a touch-enabled version of Ubuntu— to developers of Google's Nexus devices, a tech site reported over the weekend. But developers were warned Ubuntu Touch, which was released for download Friday, can still potentially brick devices, TechHive reported. "When you install the software, it will wipe Android from your device—another reason for caution. However, Google has posted firmware images online that can be used to restore a Nexus device to its factory condition. It's a good idea, though, to make sure the factory image for your device is available from Google before nuking Android from your Nexus device with Ubuntu Touch," it said. It said downloads of Ubuntu Touch are available for the Galaxy Nexus (GSM "maguro" variants), Nexus 4 ("mako"), Nexus 7 ("grouper"), and Nexus 10 ("manta"). But the TechHive article said apps for the OS at this stage are few, including a browser, a video player, a music player, a Twitter client, a photo-taking app, a Facebook client, a basic note-taker, a basic weather app, and a phone client. The OS supports Ubuntu's built-in speech and voice-searching tool. 'Lazarus' feature TechHive cited the experience of InfoWorld writer Galen Gruman who said his Nexus 4 got bricked while he experimented with Ubuntu Touch. But a few hours later, he said the dead Nexus 4 "came back to life" and Ubuntu Touch was running "as if nothing had happened." Tablet OS Meanwhile, TechHive said the tablet OS features include: • Real multitasking • Secure multi-user • Voice controlled Heads-Up-Display design • Use of screen edges for navigation between apps, settings, and controls • Full convergence Source:- http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/stor...-touch-os-released-to-nexus-tablet-developers
